3 Players to Benefit From Rangnick and 3 Who Could be Finished

Fred has always been a player that has been criticised over the years for Manchester United for a reason for them not succeeding at the highest level, with his on-ball work never being up to the standard for an elite footballer in the Premier League.

What Fred has always done well when allowed to for club and country is bring energy to the midfield, with his ball-winning and pressing ability being top tier, while when on the ball, he can distrubute it well.

Under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, Fred was made to play a deeper role, not allowing to play to his best abilities, but under Rangnick, where he likes his midfielders to press high up the pitch with lots of energy, Fred could stand out and be a key player in the second half of the season. He also proved his worth against Chelsea recently.

It is widely known that Donny van de Beek never got his chances to perform under Solskjaer’s tenure, but under Rangnicks management, he could be a key player.

Van de Beek played exceptionally well already in a heavy pressing system at Ajax under Erik Ten Hag, which made United buy him, this knowledge of a system that press high up the pitch could be utilised under Rangnick.

Van de Beek can be deployed in multiple positions under Rangnick, in his usual 4-2-2-2 formation, he could be deployed in either the deeper midfield position or in further up the pitch in a creative role.

The Dutchman has also shown to have a good passing range, and with Rangnick wanting quick passes up the pitch, his range of passing and vision could be used with other midfielders at the club not possessing the same skillset.

Edinson Cavani was also favoured by Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, but injuries and the form of Mason Greenwood at times did hamper his game time. But, if fit, we can see Rangnick using the Uruguayan as his go-to.

Down the years, the likes of Timo Werner have benefited from Rangnick's style of play as the main number nine, but moreover, one thing is for certain with Cavani and that is his style of play when off the ball: he is absolutely relentless in winning the ball back.

Cavani brought an energy to Old Trafford which hasn't been seen in so long and his closing down and frightening movement in attack and defence should give Rangnick a lot to work with.

Although Anthony Martial has not been preferred for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer since the end of the 19/20 season, the appointment of Ralf Rangnick could bring the end of his spell at Manchester United.

Martial has never been a player that has worked hard off the ball which is why when his attacking output dropped off, his inclusion in the squad had to be limited.

With him now being 25 years old and 26 in December, he most likely will not reach his potential with the club, and if he does not commit to work hard off the ball and not produce the goods offensively, Rangnick might try and sell him in January or in the summer.

Either way, there is no way he is in ahead of anybody in the forward line given his torrid attempt at defending and pressuring.

If Rangnick reverts to his successful 4-2-2-2 formation he had at RB Leipzig, he needs his full-backs to provide width in attacking areas and they need to deliver quality crosses.

Wan-Bissaka’s attacking ability is still in the developmental stage and under Rangnick it still could improve but right now he hasn’t got the ability for opposing defenders to worry about his crossing ability.

This means Rangnick could look to utilise other options, as he could use Diogo Dalot who is still yet to show he has United quality, or bring in Kieran Trippier who has been linked to a move from Atletico Madrid.

"They [Manchester United] could do with a left-back, I know they have Luke Shaw but I’m not so sure if he’s still on the same kind of level you need for a club like Manchester United.”

Without much further analysis needed, comments like this being only two years old are not likely to bode well for the England international. Then, put into context Shaw's dramatic drop in form this season from arguably the world's best to under pressure at United, and Rangnick is likely to field Alex Telles a bit more.

Furthermore, Telles adds a bit more pace and pressure, something Rangnick sees as a must-have. At the same time, the Brazilian brings to the table, unquestionably, better delivery for those who also may benefit from this system like Cavani.